Podcast Summary: The MeidasTouch Podcast – June 20, 2025

Title: MeidasTouch Full Podcast - 6/20/25
Host/Authors: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Release Date: June 20, 2025
Description: Combining brotherly banter, comedy, and deep discussions on democracy and current events, the Meiselas brothers engage with pressing political issues, drawing insights from various experts and real-world events.

1. Introduction

The episode kicks off with the hosts celebrating the MeidasTouch Network hitting 5 million YouTube subscribers. They express gratitude toward their community, the "Midas Mighty," and briefly touch upon upcoming content and breaking news segments. However, the primary focus quickly shifts to a pressing political issue involving former President Donald Trump and ongoing international conflicts.

2. E. Jean Carroll and the Legal Battles Against Donald Trump

The podcast delves into the legal victories of E. Jean Carroll and her lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, against Donald Trump.

• E. Jean Carroll’s Testimony:

  • [03:09] E. Jean Carroll: Discusses weakening Trump’s defense by highlighting his personal flaws and courtroom behavior.
  • [03:39] E. Jean Carroll: Reflects on the aggressive tactics used in court, expressing frustration over Trump's cruelty towards legal representatives.

• Key Insights:

  • Ben: Emphasizes the importance of holding a former president accountable, citing Trump’s behavior and legal shortcomings.
  • Brett and Jordy: Analyze how Trump's actions in court undermine his credibility and support for democratic principles.

3. Donald Trump’s Inconsistent Foreign Policy on Iran and Nuclear Threats

A significant portion of the episode scrutinizes Trump’s contradictory statements regarding Iran’s nuclear capabilities and the potential for military intervention.

• Trump’s “Two Weeks” Dilemma:

  • [06:38] E. Jean Carroll: Quotes Trump's declaration to "crush President Putin" within two weeks.
  • [07:07] Ben: Highlights Trump’s repeated promise of action within two weeks, pointing out the ambiguity and delays.

• Caroline Levitt’s Press Briefing:

  • [07:46] Caroline Levitt: States that Trump will decide on military action against Iran within two weeks, citing potential negotiations.
  • Ben’s Analysis: Contrasts Levitt’s statement with earlier warnings from Trump and Netanyahu about imminent nuclear threats from Iran, questioning the credibility and direction of Trump’s foreign policy.

• Quotes with Attribution and Timestamps:

  • [10:44] Brett: "This is why Trump is incapable of making a deal in any scenario."
  • [17:06] Brett: "This Trump presidency feels much more like Bush 3.0 than anything else."

4. Contrasting Administrations: Obama vs. Trump on Iran

The hosts compare Obama’s nuclear deal with Iran to Trump’s withdrawal and subsequent aggressive rhetoric.

• Obama’s Diplomacy:

  • Ben: Praises Obama for negotiating a nuclear deal that effectively halted Iran’s nuclear progression.

• Trump’s Withdrawal and Escalation:

  • Brett: Criticizes Trump for dismantling the Obama-era deal, reigniting tensions and misleading the public about Iran’s nuclear status.
  • [18:19] Ben: Notes Tulsi Gabbard’s assessment that Iran is not currently progressing toward a nuclear weapon, countering Trump’s claims.

• Key Quote:

  • [21:35] Brett: "Iran could be a year away, not days, before they have a nuclear weapon."

5. US Involvement in the Yemen Conflict and the Houthi War

The discussion shifts to the US’s covert involvement in Yemen and the challenges faced in combating the Houthi movement.

• American Military Losses:

  • Ben: Reports the loss of two F-18 Hornets and seven Reaper drones in Yemen, highlighting operational failures and lack of transparency.

• Houthi’s Resilience:

  • [58:06] E. Jean Carroll: Claims the Houthis honored their ceasefire commitments, which Ben disputes by citing zero commercial vessel transits post-ceasefire.

• Congressional Accountability:

  • Ben: Criticizes Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for misleading Congress about the success of the mission.

• Key Quote:

  • [60:55] Ben: "The regime that we have here in the United States lies to us over and over again."

6. Trade Deals and Tariffs Under Trump’s Administration

The hosts analyze Trump’s approach to international trade, emphasizing the lack of clarity and effectiveness in his tariff strategies.

• USMCA and Other Trade Deals:

  • Brett: Points out Trump’s contradictory statements regarding the USMCA and his inability to deliver substantial trade agreements.

• Tariffs on China:

  • Brett: Critiques the inconsistent implementation and escalation of tariffs on China, questioning the economic rationale behind them.

• Key Insight:

  • Brett: "Without a clear end game, how can negotiations be effective?"

7. Critique of Trump’s Leadership and Decision-Making

A recurring theme is the assessment of Trump’s leadership style, characterized by inconsistency, lack of accountability, and self-serving tactics.

• Personal Attributes:

  • Ben: Describes Trump as a "sexual abuser," "felon," and "fraud," emphasizing his detrimental impact on national and international politics.

• Decision-Making Flaws:

  • Jordy: Highlights Trump’s tendency to evade responsibility by deferring decisions ("two weeks" tactic) and blaming others.

• Key Quote:

  • [73:25] Ben: "We are a country run by idiots right now."

8. The Role of Media and Propaganda

The podcast underscores the influence of media, particularly Fox News, in shaping and perpetuating Trump’s narratives.

• Media Complicity:

  • Brett: Criticizes Fox News for amplifying Trump's hawkish tones and lack of substantive reporting.

• Sifting Through Information:

  • Ben: Stresses the importance of discerning factual information amidst widespread propaganda.

• Key Insight:

  • Brett: "One of our jobs is to sift through it and try to find the real stories."

9. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The hosts reiterate the necessity of vigilance, critical thinking, and holding leaders accountable. They emphasize their role in providing unbiased analysis and uncovering the truths often obscured by mainstream media narratives.

• Call to Action:

  • Encouragement for listeners to subscribe, become members, and support the network's mission to uphold democratic values.

• Final Quote:

  • Brett: "Remain vigilant out there. Understand that the information that's coming to you from a lot of these sources may be packaged at his views."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• E. Jean Carroll:

  • "[03:09] 'We can beat him.'"
  • "[07:07] 'Two weeks.'"
  • "[22:48] 'The president is a peacemaker in chief.'"
  • "[58:06] 'They gave us their word that they wouldn't be shooting ships anymore.'"

• Ben:

  • "[06:38] 'We have a deeply unserious, deeply unwell sexually abuser.'"
  • "[21:35] 'I don't want Iran to have a nuclear weapon.'"
  • "[60:55] 'The regime that we have here in the United States lies to us over and over again.'"
  • "[73:25] 'We are a country run by idiots right now.'"

• Brett:

  • "[10:44] 'This is why Trump is incapable of making a deal in any scenario.'"
  • "[18:19] 'Iran is not building a nuclear weapon.'"
  • "[21:35] 'Iran could be a year away, not days, before they have a nuclear weapon.'"
  • "[38:32] 'He has done zero deals.'"

• Jordy:

  • "[15:19] 'Absolutely, Brett.'"
  • "[73:59] 'Caroline Levitt said, kept America safe like he did under his first presidency.'"

• Caroline Levitt:

  • "[07:46] 'I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks.'"
  • "[22:48] 'The president is always interested in a diplomatic solution.'"
  • "[48:10] 'We're looking for a total, complete victory.'"
  • "[71:05] 'President Trump has incredible instincts and President Trump kept America and the world safe in his first term as president.'"

Summary:
In this episode, the Meiselas brothers critically examine Donald Trump's leadership, especially his inconsistent stance on Iran's nuclear capabilities and his administration's handling of international conflicts like the Yemen war. They highlight the legal triumphs of E. Jean Carroll against Trump, scrutinize his foreign policy decisions, and condemn the complicity of certain media outlets in perpetuating misinformation. Throughout the discussion, the hosts emphasize the importance of holding leaders accountable, discerning truth from propaganda, and supporting democratic values amidst political turmoil.